White House Tells Agencies to Give D.C.-Area Feds Time Off During Capitals Stanley Cup Parade

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, hoists the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on June 7.John Locher

Federal agencies in the Washington, D.C.-area will encourage their employees to take leave on Tuesday for the duration of a parade to celebrate the Washington Capitals National Hockey League championship.

The Office of Personnel Management is also allowing agencies in the national capital region to authorize telework and other workplace flexibilities. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced nearly two-dozen streets will be closed for more than five hours, from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The leave directive came from the White House, according to an OPM spokesperson.

“The White House is encouraging federal agencies to grant employees in the Washington, D.C., area two hours of administrative leave between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to attend the parade,” the spokesperson said.

Employees can also use their alternative work schedule day off or annual leave, but offices will remain open. Enabling telework and other flexibilities will “help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials,” OPM Director Jeff Pon said in a memorandum to agencies.

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